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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 buyout candidates to consider

By Orestis Rantis

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 24: Dion Waiters #11 of the Miami Heat in action against the LA Clippers during the first half at American Airlines Arena on January 24, 2020 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 24: Dion Waiters #11 of the Miami Heat in action against the LA Clippers during the first half at American Airlines Arena on January 24, 2020 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images /

2. Dion Waiters

The Dion Waiters-LeBron James experiment has been tested in the past and the results were nothing but negative. How negative? LeBron pretty much traded Waiters away from the Cleveland Cavaliers in just a few months after his return to his hometown.

During the 2019-20 season, Waiters has received three different suspensions. All of them came from the Miami Heat. He is also jobless for the time being after being bought out by the Memphis Grizzlies once he joined the team as part of the Andre Iguodala trade.

Below is the list of infractions:

  • A one-game suspension for a detrimental conduct
  • 10 game suspension for consuming THC-infused edibles while flying to a road game
  • A six-game suspension for calling in sick, only to upload a birthday picture on a boat

Up to this point, the average reader would begin to question even mentioning Waiters in a piece about players that could help the Lakers. Though it may seem like that, the 28-year old shooting guard could prove to be quite useful for a title contender.

Even though the aforementioned experiment didn’t work in the past, one has to keep in mind that we were dealing with a third-year guard who was the starter on a championship-caliber team. Back then, one turnover could cost you your roster spot.

Since being traded away from this suffocating situation, Waiters has proved that he is a very reliable scorer, averaging as many as 15.8 points per game in a season.

A starter’s spot is entirely out of the question for Waiters as he lacks the defensive skills to lock down opposing guards. But looking at it the other way, a role player’s spot can benefit both sides tremendously. The Lakers get a top-tier bench scorer, while Waiters proves that he can contribute to a championship team.

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